Castle Stalker

My wife and I are Scots from Edinburgh who married, stayed in Scotland until we were in our late 20's, then emigrated to Silicon Valley, California, where we have now spent more than half of our lives. We get Home regularly and make a point of playing "tourist" for some of the time, enjoying all the sights and sounds that Scotland has to offer.

One day on the road from Oban north to Fort William, we drove past Castle Stalker and the view was very nice as usual. However, when we drove back south to Oban, the lighting had changed and the view of the castle, Loch Linnhe, the Isle of Lismore and the mountains of Mull... was truly spectacular! A framed enlargement of this has a prominent place in our house and makes us homesick every time we walk by it.

Scotland is and has always been truly differentiated and does not need its independence from the UK. People are confusing the messages they are hearing from their heads and their hearts. My heart will always be in Scotland. However, my head tells me that there are many practical reasons why Scotland should continue as part of the UK. If they vote YES to independence, there is a lot of evidence that the people will be worse off financially, jobs will be lost as they are pulled back south of the border, and the already too-high percentage of public-sector jobs will increase...all while North Sea oil reserves decline.

We don't get to vote - and really shouldn't as we left a long time ago. However, it amazes me that the SNP-led YES movement have been able to structure the vote such that age 16 and up can vote, yet mature Scots who moved just South of the border to England for jobs will not be allowed to vote. This is all being driven by a few strong political egos and wild promises.

Every time I talk to friends and family in Scotland, I hear their opinions that they will vote No-Better Together. I do hope all my countrymen will simply do their duty and vote on this critical matter. Apathy is the biggest risk.

Either way, nothing will take away from the friendly people and the natural and historical beauty that we are proud to call "Home".

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